Farmers Market Finding Support Among Citizens

A Facebook Page titled Friendswood Farmer’s Market contains a petition to be presented to the City Council on Nov. 4, when it is expected to make a decision on a resolution to allow a farmer’s market to operate two non-consecutive weekends a month within the city.

The petition also requests that the city allow the market to include vendors and artisans who make their own wares.

City officials in September revisited allowing an outdoor market to operate within the city limits, and though staff said “nobody is beating down the door” to operate a market in the city, citizens themselves appear to have a definite interest. Staff is currently working on a draft of an ordinance to allow a market, and that draft is expected to come before council at its November meeting.

Markets are usually held in a designated place such as a park or parking lot, and often feature live entertainment by local musicians. Friendswood’s proposed requirements would allow a market one weekend per month, Saturday and Sunday only, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Resale items would be prohibited.

Friendswood City Council usually meets on the first Monday of each month beginning at 4:30 p.m. at City Hall, 910 S. Friendswood Dr. Meetings are open to the public, with the exception of executive sessions, and include a period for public comment.